If you wish you owned a drinks trolley to serve your gin collection from just like auntie had or if a Formica sideboard brings back memories of tea at granny’s then you’re probably going to find it hard to leave a new vintage store in Croydon.

Atomica is an emporium of mid-to-late 20th century furniture and accessories from the Fifties, Sixties, Seventies and Eighties.

Hidden away on a trading estate in Commerce Way, off Purley Way, the 2,000 square foot shop is treasure trove for lovers of all things retro and vintage – and those who love being whisked back in time to their childhood.

It’s owned and run by vintage fanatic couple Nicky Sloan and David Jones, who opened it on Good Friday, March 30, following the launch of their online version of the store three months ago.

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Designer Nicky is also owner of gift and homeware brand Magpie, which has goods stocked in John Lewis across the UK.

The Atomica showroom and shop shares its space with Magpie, which moved into the showroom at the same time, meaning customers can buy something old or something new.

When you step inside Atomica you’re probably going to be hit by that warm fuzzy nostalgic feeling as you are taken back in time to your childhood.

There are retro coffee tables, sideboards, drinks trollies, vases, paintings, fabrics, vinyl records and other pieces from back in the day.

Owners David Jones and Nicky Sloan with some of the cool items they have on sale in Atomica (Image: Grant Melton)

Nicky, 42 and 39-year-old- David, who is also an artist and grew up in Croydon, are avid collectors of all things mid-century.

Nicky said: “It’s our life-time passion. Even as kids we were both independently collecting items. I had a Sixties-style bedroom as a teenager. I only wear Sixties and Seventies clothing – I really do love that sort of era.”

Whether it’s is a 1950’s record rack, a Sixties skater mini dress, a Seventies unopened box of Surf laundry detergent or even a set of Eighties Memphis-style glasses, they’ve found it , loved it and – reluctantly they say - put it up for sale in the shop.

And these are the kind of things most people would have had in their homes back then.

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Nicky said: “We appreciate the high-end furniture from the Sixties and Seventies but our passion really lies with the furniture families actually had.”

She continued: “We love it when a customer tells us how happy it makes them to see something in our store that they grew up with, be it a Fifties clock granny had, a set of tiled Seventies tables auntie had by her sofa or a Sixties drinks trolley mum used to serve Babycham from.

“Everybody feels they have been transported back in time.”

Inside the treasure trove that is Atomica, off Purley Way (Image: Grant Melton)

And being everyday items most people would have had, you don’t have to fork out Antique Roadshow prices to own a piece of vintage.

Explained Nicky: “Our coffee tables start at around £25. They are totally affordable. They are just really nice good quality items.

"Furniture then was built to last. You can buy something from £5 to £50.”

And Nicky added, the genuine vintage furnishings fit in with today’s styles.

So it isn’t just people who remember the items when they originally came out who have been enjoying shopping online and instore at Atomica – all age groups like it, said Nicky.

She added: “It seems to be from people having to furnish their own places and newlyweds and people just moving in together all the way up to people who remember the products in the first place, who may walk around and see something they had in the Eighties and think, ‘I wish I had that again.’”